WallStSmart

Provident Financial Services Inc (PFS)vsU.S. Bancorp (USB)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

U.S. Bancorp generates 2908% more annual revenue ($26.65B vs $886.01M). PFS leads profitability with a 34.6% profit margin vs 29.3%. PFS appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.61. PFS earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 73/100 (B).

PFS

Strong Buy

73

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.0Profit: 7.5Value: 6.3Quality: 5.0

USB

Strong Buy

71

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.0Profit: 7.5Value: 6.3Quality: 5.3
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 0.39

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

PFS5 strengths · Avg: 9.6/10
P/E RatioValuation
9.6x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.0x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
34.6%10/10

Keeps 35 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
53.5%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 53.5%

EPS GrowthGrowth
24.2%8/10

Earnings expanding 24.2% YoY

USB6 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
P/E RatioValuation
11.6x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.5x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
37.8%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 37.8%

Market CapQuality
$85.86B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
29.3%9/10

Keeps 29 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.34B8/10

Generating 1.3B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

PFS1 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.614/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

USB3 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.924/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
4.6%4/10

4.6% revenue growth

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.392/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : PFS

The strongest argument for PFS centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 34.6% and operating margin at 53.5%.

Bull Case : USB

The strongest argument for USB centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 29.3% and operating margin at 37.8%.

Bear Case : PFS

The primary concerns for PFS are PEG Ratio.

Bear Case : USB

The primary concerns for USB are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

PFS profiles as a mature stock while USB is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

USB carries more volatility with a beta of 1.02 — expect wider price swings.

PFS is growing revenue faster at 9.2% — sustainability is the question.

USB generates stronger free cash flow (1.3B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

PFS scores higher overall (73/100 vs 71/100), backed by strong 34.6% margins. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Provident Financial Services Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

Provident Financial Services, Inc. is the banking holding company for Provident Bank offering various banking products and services to individuals, families and businesses in the United States. The company is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey.

U.S. Bancorp

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

U.S. Bancorp is an American bank holding company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and incorporated in Delaware. The company provides banking, investment, mortgage, trust, and payment services products to individuals, businesses, governmental entities, and other financial institutions.

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